3D-Coverage Beam-Scanning Antenna Using Feed Array and Active Frequency Selective Surface

This paper presents the design of a smart antenna that can achieve three-dimensional beam scanning coverage. The antenna consists of a novel planar feed array and a cylindrical active frequency selective surface (AFSS). First, an array fed metallic reflector is studied as a reference antenna to validate the beam scanning characteristics in the elevation plane. Then the AFSS is assessed through simulation and measurement results. Finally, the complete structure containing the planar collinear array and the AFSS is analyzed. A prototype at S-band has been designed, manufactured and measured. The resulting antenna is shown to be able to operate at the 2.4 – 2.5 GHz frequency band and switch beams in both the azimuth and elevation planes. In the azimuth plane, the proposed antenna is capable of sweeping beams towards different directions to cover a full range of 360?. In the elevation plane, it can achieve beam steering within an angle range of +16?/-15?. The measured maximum gain of the antenna is 9.2 dBi. This is the first report of a low-cost 3D coverage beam scanning antenna based on AFSS.